Stronger/faster MTB f.deraileur?

Hi All,

My FD is kind of weak/slow when it comes to downshift - from the
middle to the inner chainring, for instance. It's one of the first
Shimano Deore models, from back when 9 speed was the newest thing in
the market.

The FD having already been adjusted, several times, by several
diferent people, can I expect any improvement from any other model,
changing the FD only, not the shifter?

If so, what would a more recent/expensive model better than this one,
other than simply being more modern? (I feel that if only this device
had a stronger spring, it would the job much better.)

TIA,
Jose

On Mar 7, 2:52 pm, (Jose) wrote:
Hi All,

My FD is kind of weak/slow when it comes to downshift - from the
middle to the inner chainring, for instance. It's one of the first
Shimano Deore models, from back when 9 speed was the newest thing in
the market.


Top swing or bottom swing? Even the cheapest Shimano top swing should
dump you to the granny quickly if set up right. Deore model looks to
be around $25. Make sure to rule out dirty cables and shifters first.

Jose Wrote:
Hi All,

My FD is kind of weak/slow when it comes to downshift - from the
middle to the inner chainring, for instance. It's one of the first
Shimano Deore models, from back when 9 speed was the newest thing in
the market.

The FD having already been adjusted, several times, by several
diferent people, can I expect any improvement from any other model,
changing the FD only, not the shifter?

If so, what would a more recent/expensive model better than this one,
other than simply being more modern? (I feel that if only this device
had a stronger spring, it would the job much better.)

TIA,
Jose
What is the tooth count on the rings. Getting a close match on the
large ring allows you to set the FD lower and often makes for better
downshifting.
Are you using any device to protect from shifting past the smallest
chain ring?
What is your cable routing?
Have you checked your cable, housing, housing ends, and how well the
cable moves through the entire path when installed?


--
daveornee

On Mar 7, 12:52 pm, (Jose) wrote:
Hi All,

My FD is kind of weak/slow when it comes to downshift - from the
middle to the inner chainring, for instance. It's one of the first
Shimano Deore models, from back when 9 speed was the newest thing in
the market.

Not to nitpick, but the 9-speed ones are about the most recent Deore
model. The first Deore FD was, what? 1982?

(Jose) wrote:
My FD is kind of weak/slow when it comes to downshift - from the
middle to the inner chainring, for instance. It's one of the first
Shimano Deore models, from back when 9 speed was the newest thing in
the market.

Hank wrote:
Not to nitpick, but the 9-speed ones are about the most recent Deore
model. The first Deore FD was, what? 1982?

Yeah, Hank, about then - when touring bikes were 5 or 6 speed, not 9.
Nice product, though. Cute with the little reindeer logo and all.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

On Fri, 7 Mar 2008 13:34:37 -0800 (PST), landotter
wrote:

Top swing or bottom swing? Even the cheapest Shimano top swing should
dump you to the granny quickly if set up right. Deore model looks to
be around $25. Make sure to rule out dirty cables and shifters first.

Mine is bottom swing. Cables and shifters seem fine, but I'll check
again.

Thank you!
Jose

On Sat, 8 Mar 2008 09:16:30 +1100, daveornee
wrote:

What is the tooth count on the rings. Getting a close match on the
large ring allows you to set the FD lower and often makes for better
downshifting.

24-32-42


Are you using any device to protect from shifting past the smallest
chain ring?

None.


What is your cable routing?

Bottom swing.


Have you checked your cable, housing, housing ends, and how well the
cable moves through the entire path when installed?

I'll check again.

Thank you,
Jose

On Fri, 7 Mar 2008 15:30:12 -0800 (PST), Hank
wrote:

Not to nitpick, but the 9-speed ones are about the most recent Deore
model. The first Deore FD was, what? 1982?

I'm not going to swear on it, but I have the impression I've had that
bike/FD for at least 8 years.

Anyway, so far it seems that bottom vs. top swing makes a significant
diference; mine is bottom swing.

Regards,
Jose

On Mar 8, 6:44 am, (Jose) wrote:
On Fri, 7 Mar 2008 15:30:12 -0800 (PST), Hank
wrote:

Not to nitpick, but the 9-speed ones are about the most recent Deore
model. The first Deore FD was, what? 1982?

I'm not going to swear on it, but I have the impression I've had that
bike/FD for at least 8 years.

Anyway, so far it seems that bottom vs. top swing makes a significant
diference; mine is bottom swing.

Regards,
Jose

Before you get a new FD make sure that it is not sticking somewhere
along the way. Remove it, soak it in cleaner, rinse it and oil the
spring and pivot points really well. Play with the deraillerur to make
sure that the spring pulls the dérailleur with enough force. Also put
a new shifter cable. Once you've done that, if the derailleur is
working properly, it should shift no problem. I have a deore front
derailleur since 93, when I bought my bike. It still shifts without
hesitation both up and down. I don't do much maintenance on my bikes,
but FDs are relatively simple mechanisms that should work forever w/o
problems. Yours is likely sticking somewhere.

Andres

Andrew Muzi wrote:
(Jose) wrote:
My FD is kind of weak/slow when it comes to downshift - from the
middle to the inner chainring, for instance. It's one of the first
Shimano Deore models, from back when 9 speed was the newest thing in
the market.

Hank wrote:
Not to nitpick, but the 9-speed ones are about the most recent Deore
model. The first Deore FD was, what? 1982?

Yeah, Hank, about then - when touring bikes were 5 or 6 speed, not 9.
Nice product, though. Cute with the little reindeer logo and all.

As in http://www.firstflightbikes.com/Fder61.JPG.

--
Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia
The weather is here, wish you were beautiful